MSU Alert is a notification system to deliver critical information to MSU students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency. The system delivers emergency messages through text messaging to cellular phones and e-mails. The system is in place for all of MSU's campuses: Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls and Havre.

Enrollment into the MSU Alert system is free and voluntary. If you do not enroll into the system, you will not receive emergency alert messages. Enrollment is strongly recommended.

Enrollment into the system is easy and takes only a few minutes.

MSU Alert is powered through Inspiron Logistics, a worldwide provider of emergency notification systems. The contact information you provide will only be used for the MSU Alert system. Contact information will not be shared for any commercial purposes. MSU Alert will only be used for emergency notifications, testing and maintenance of the system. Tests are expected to be conducted once a semester. You will not receive spam through the MSU Alert system.

Instructions for enrolling into MSU Alert:

Go to the MSU Alert enrollment page and enter your first and last name, a mobile number and e-mail address. You may enter two of each. When done, hit the "Sign Up Now" button.

If you don't want to enter an e-mail address, you don't have to, but it is strongly recommended. A cellular phone number is the minimum requirement to register.

You can also enroll by texting 69310 with the following message: msu alert. You will receive a confirmation text as a reply.

Who do I contact if I'm having trouble registering?
Please contact the MSU Alert administrator at msualert@montana.edu. In the subject line, please type "MSU Alert question/comment."

FAQ:

My cellular phone calling plan doesn't cover text messages. Will I be billed to receive a text message?
If your calling plan doesn't include text messaging, you will be billed to receive a text message if you open it. However, the cost is very low, usually around 10 cents per text message. MSU Alert will only use text messages for emergencies, maintenance and a test each semester.

Can I set my cellular phone to only recieve text messages from MSU Alert?

No. Text messages are sent using a slightly different type of system than voice messages. Each text message uses what is called a "short code." This code is different from a phone number and changes with each text message. As such, there is no way to only accept text messages from one sender.

Who do I contact if I'm having trouble registering?
Please contact the MSU Alert administrator at msualert@montana.edu. In the subject line, please type "MSU Alert question/comment."

What personal information goes into MSU Alert?
Your first and last name, your e-mail address, and the cellular or Blackberry number you provide. The MSU Alert system does not accept or use social security numbers, student ID numbers, birth dates, or home or campus addresses.

Will MSU or Inspiron Logistics sell my e-mail address or phone numbers to an outside party?
No. The e-mail address and phone numbers entered into the system will only be used for emergency messages, testing and necessary maintenance.

Will MSU use the system for non-emergency communications, such as academic calendar reminders?
No. The system will only be used for emergency messages, testing and necessary maintenance.

Will I get spam through the system?
No. The system will only be used for emergency messages, testing and necessary maintenance.

What kind of message would I receive from the system?
The message would be very short and direct. An example:

MSU Alert: The MSU Bozeman campus is closed today due to a power outage.

How do I change or update my account?
Changing information is easy. Simply go to the MSU Alert enrollment page, then click on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom and enter your old cellular number to have it removed from the system. Then go through the subscription process again with your new number.

Can I enroll in MSU Alert if I don't have an e-mail account?
Yes. An e-mail account is not necessary to enroll in MSU Alert.

What if my cellular number changes during the year?
You are responsible for keeping your account up-to-date. MSU Alert has no way of knowing if you are using a different cellular number unless you make changes to your account.

How do I get out of the system?
Simply go to the MSU Alert enrollment page, then click on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom to pull your old number out of the system.

Do I have to use a MyPortal e-mail address for MSU Alert?
No. Please use the e-mail address that you check most often, whether that is MyPortal or some other account.